Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is the third most common cancer in men.

Symptoms 

Symptoms of bowel cancer include: 

  • Blood in the motion or abdominal bloating or cramping.  
  • A recent and persistent change in bowel habit with diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling of incomplete emptying or thin bowel movements.
  • Tiredness
  • Weight loss
  • Unexplained anaemia.

Causes

Risk factors for bowel cancer include: 

  • Age
  • Inherited genetic risk
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Obesity
  • Smoking.

Prevention Tips 

You can reduce your risk of bowel cancer by: 

  • Not smoking
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Being physically active 
  • Having a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
     

If you are aged between 60 and 70, you will automatically be invited to take part in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme every two years – please consider doing so very carefully. If you are not sure, talk to your GP or partner, family or friends about it. The tests can detect bowel cancer before obvious symptoms begin to appear and can be a real life-saver.

If you are over 70, you can request a screening kit by calling the freephone helpline: 0800 707 6060.
 

For more information on bowel cancer